I am still stuck on planet Earth.

I was married to someone with Bi-polar and she committed crimes because of it. My brother who is a doctor for a federal penitentiary told me @50% of all inmates show signs of being bi-polar.
Depending what state they are in (manic or mania) they feel they are invincible and can't get caught regardless of the act.

What about all of those people with bipolar disorder who don't commit crimes?

You posed an excellent question! In general when I read forum posts everyone wants to APPEAR "politically correct" (i.e. I never hate anything, I lover everyone, blah, blah, blah). Whatever man! Being truth to yourself is the first step.

If we had our way, we'd never want or desire an imperfection mate. How many ppl will honestly say, "hey I think I am going to find me a @^HG&T disorder today and ask him/her out on a date"? NOBODY!

I like the fact that this gentleman is honest upfront. I would even be bold enough to put it in my profile. Give the other person the option to take that chance or not. Hiding it is deceptive in my opinion. I knew someone with a mental disorder that attempted to hide it.

DIdn't work, dropped that person like a hot potato. Thank God I give relationships of all types a grace period. I ask the right questions, observe behaviors and just wait. When something isn't right, I split.

Smart! Me too!

hello man I hope you get well soon and have your better girl that will love you and you will have a happy mind bro.... live long happily

I am bipolar and although I don't proudly proclaim it as an opening statement, I make no attempt to hide it. There are several types and degrees of bipolar. I myself in my worst case have never lashed out at others and have only been dangerous to myself. The thing about some bipolars, myself included is we often are quite creative and artsy and in my case an extreme empath. On the manic side we can often get so much done and have such energy and creativity while on the depressive side we feel the weight of all the pain in the world, especially any personal emotional turmoil throughout our entire lives all at the same time. We can become almost paralyzed with depression for extended periods of time. For each extreme high is an extreme low with no balance. That's where science, psychiatrist and pharmaceuticals come into play. I find my best medicine is my writing. I do have minimal medical treatment but my major therapy is my passion and that gives me balance and stability. I don't know if I'll ever find my mate but as long as I have my romantic dream and my vision I have peace.

I personally do desire an imperfect mate. It may be a defect but I have been through so much in my life that I often either subconsciously or consciously seek out damaged or even handicapped individuals as it has been pointed out to me on various occasions. It has been said in a recent conversation that men like to feel needed by their women. Maybe that's it or I don't know but I am drawn to women who I see as needing me whom I feel want to advance but if only they had the right person in their corner. Unfortunately that policy usually blows up in my face and leaves me crushed and maybe that's what lead me to sites like this but what can I say? I'm still learning myself and what's best for me at this late in the game.

No offense intended. It was stated in the light of "I dated an engineer or I dated a scientist which, I suppose, would not offend anyone. Saying "I dated a man or women who worked as an engineer" would be unnecessarily specific as it is assumed that you are speaking of a person, not an occupation.

My long history dating a bi-polar affected person gave me great insight into the disease and it's treatment. I read several books on the topic and visited her shrink on a regular basis.

Taking offense at things which were not meant to offend was one of her symptoms.

In a way, I can understand how you feel. Not because I have any mental illness, though. Back about 2 years ago, I had brain surgery to remove a non-cancerous tumor from my brain. You wouldn't believe the amount of women that stop having anything to do with me when they find out. The fact of the matter is, there are a lot of close-minded people out there. People tend to be afraid of what they don't understand.

Your problem is different from mine. But in a way, Socially, it's the same outcome.